DOWNTOWN SCOTTSDALE 2.0

Study Purpose/Summary

The City of Scottsdale has teamed with Conventions, Sports and Leisure International (CSL International) and Populous to develop a plan for tourism related downtown economic development in an effort to bring out the best in Scottsdale’s historic downtown. This plan’s study effort will consist of staged economic and planning analysis of the Downtown Scottsdale area with a focus on maximizing economic performance and creating a highly desirable and vibrant downtown destination. ​

HAVE AN OPINION ABOUT THE FUTURE OF DOWNTOWN SCOTTSDALE?THEN WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Register to attend one of three presentations held May 3rd and 4th on the key findings of Downtown Scottsdale 2.0 and participate in a discussion with the consultant about the suggested investments for keeping Downtown Scottsdale a key visitor destination.

Downtown Scottsdale 2.0 is a tourism-related economic feasibility study. It includes an analysis of Downtown Scottsdale with a focus on maximizing economic performance and creating a desirable and vibrant downtown.

The city’s consultant CSL International will lead the presentations. A facilitated discussion will follow to identify your preferences about future investments in Downtown. Your input is an essential part in advancing Downtown Scottsdale as a destination for both locals and visitors.

Unique among economic development initiatives, investment in the travel and tourism industry can increase economic activity, support businesses within and beyond the tourism sector, create important employment opportunities, bolster local tax revenues thereby reducing the tax burden on residents, and improve quality of life aspects within the community. In order to provide for long term growth in an increasingly competitive segment of the economy, the importance of comprehensive, sustainable and strategic tourism development is difficult to overstate.

To form well-tested recommendations for future development in Downtown Scottsdale, the methods we will employ as part of this Study effort stress four fundamental aspects:

Inclusive– taking into consideration the views of local stakeholders throughout the Study process.

​Unique and Authentic– digging deep to ensure that elements unique to Scottsdale infuse the Development Plan findings and recommendations.

​Actionable– developing a Plan “roadmap” that presents specific findings and recommendations, timelines, funding options and definition of the structures that will have to be involved to realize key Plan elements.

​Thoroughly Research-Based– ensuring a very credible foundation on which Plan findings can be based. This will involve extensive analysis of previous economic-related studies and plans for Scottsdale, current funding methods for development projects, tourism performance metrics, the area’s demographic profile, existing public policies, and other important items. The team will also develop case study analyses of comparable market tourism infrastructure, performance levels, financial resources and planning strategies to learn of best practices and creative initiatives taking place nationally.

The process

Conceptualization

Illustrations of development design concepts will be provided to help the community understand the context and implications of potential development scenarios. ​

Economic feasibility

One or more development scenarios will be tested from a financial perspective to develop recommendations on management and/or financial structures that would make the scenarios feasible.

Implementation

Ultimate success in increasing the footprint of the tourism industry in Scottsdale will require a concerted and on-going presence in terms of funding, development and potentially management. The project team will explore various structural options for development used successfully in other markets, and will assess their viability applied to the unique conditions in Scottsdale.

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS FOR THE PROJECT TEAM?

FEEL FREE TO LEAVE A MESSAGE IN OUR INBOX – WE WOULD LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK!